Every Spring and every Fall, as we put up or take down the mast, we check the standing rigging very, very carefully. Any wires that are kinked or frayed are replaced, we check the thimbles where they connect to the shackles, and we inspect all the clevis pins and shroud anchors.
Then we re-attach everything, and re-wire the shackles (at the hounds of the mast) and tape them.
Shroud anchors should be removed and checked for straightness and galling, especially if you sail in salt water. We replace them and their clevis pins every 2 to 3 years. If you have ever dropped a mast due to this failure, you'll know how important this is. We once dropped a mast due to carelessness....the ring-ding caught on the rope from the cat trax and at the end of the first tack, the clevis pin went 'ping' into the river. It was a long (and embarrassing) paddle back to the Sailing Club.
We also check each and every ring-ding and the trap bungees and J&H handles. When in doubt, replace it. Hobie sells very nice 'screw in' trap handles, coated with neoprene, much better than the plastic ones.
We also carefully check the bow wires and the all-important bow shackle.
Happy and safe sailing.
_________________ 2015 H16, with spin, SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..." 'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'
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